Category: Donors

We have been so blessed again this year by a wonderful donation of warm coats for children from the Father Justin Knights of Columbus 5670. Located at 2735 Union Rd. Cheektowaga NY. Sister Johnice asked all the volunteers, staff and Sisters to be “on the lookout” for children that might need a coat. We had our annual Christmas toy distribution on December 13th and 14th when Sister Rose and Buffalo Police officer Gail Allen noticed a child with only a hooded sweatshirt on (and it was cold outside) so the God squad went to work and sized our first coat of the season to a very happy and warm young man. Many of our people are arriving from other areas of the world and have never experienced real cold conditions needing coats, boots, and warm clothing. Then during the Christmas day dinner and subsequent days more coats found new owners providing warmth and bright happiness to the children receiving them.

Christmas time is special at the Response to Love Center; this year will be no different. Sister Johnice is especially tuned in to what our people need, through prayer; she sees her mission is to respond where God is leading her. For the last few years, the focus has been on specific needs of our people. We have had diaper drives; last year was pillows and pillowcases. This year Sister is responding to the needs with a drive to provide a new towel, washcloth, and soap, calling it;

“Wrapped in Towels of Love.”

Our supporters have in the past, been so generous with these efforts because they have also seen the need, with Sister’s guidance. “Sometimes the simple things many of us take for granted are so much more important to people in need. Please consider helping us provide these simple things to the people we serve,” said Sister Johnice.

You can participate in several different ways:

Bring three unused bath towels or a set of bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth to:

St. Christopher’s on Niagara Falls Blvd. during mass on the weekend of December 9 and 10.

St. Stephens on Grand Island during mass on the weekend of December 16 and 17.

Galleria Mall in front of Dicks Sporting Goods on the 2nd floor on December 16 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Additionally, there will be a combination fundraiser and towel drive at the Flying Bison Brewery, 840 Seneca St. on Friday, December 1 from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM.

Bring three unused bath towels or a set of bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth and you will receive 5 tickets to the exceptional basket raffle which includes sporting event tickets, theater tickets and many items from local merchants.

You will also receive your first pint for only two dollars and you will also have to opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for a special RESPONSE TO LOVE Quilt that is being made by the ladies from the River Lea Quilting Guild on Grand Island. Babcia’s Pierogis will have their delicious food available.

Should your parish want to participate in this drive or if you have a question or need information please call Rich Gurbacki at 716-361-1145 or email atbaxes.58@yahoo.com. please write Towels in the subject line.

God is good. We put out an appeal for personal care items that we were running low on and people have responded. The Guardian Angel Homeschoolers from the Southern tier held a drive to collect personal care items. The students who happen to also be long time summer youth poverty awareness participants, delivered those donations today.

Another delivery today of personal care items were collected by The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (on Delaware & West Utica) in Buffalo. They hosted the Bi-Annual Metropolis of Detroit Clergy-Laity & Philoptochos Conference. Philoptochos (Greek translation) means “Friends of the Poor.” This donation was presented by 40 individual delegates and in addition a $625 cash donation. Thank you for all of your efforts to help support the poor on Buffalo’s East Side.

Sister Mary Alisette Skotnicki C.S.S.F.Packing and serving the Doughnuts with a Smile.

We would like to thank Mayer Brothers Cider Mill (www.mayerbrothers.com) in West Seneca NY for their generous donation of their fresh made delicious doughnuts throughout the fall season. For years now every Tuesday and Thursday we are happy to accept the day-old doughnuts, which we pack into a dozen or half dozen bags and offer to all our clients. It has become a special treat for all our clients, volunteers, and the Sisters. At the end of the fall season, Mayer Brothers also send us any extra pies, baked goods, and other treats. Not only that but for years at our Thanksgiving Meal 6 or 7 cases of cider appear at our door. God Bless the good people at Mayer Bros. Cider Mill. Please remember them for all your autumn treat needs.

2017 marks the second year for Response to Love Center to be the recipient of proceeds from a day at the Local Steam Engine, Antique Tractor, Old Farm Equipment Show and Flea Market in Alexander. This event has taken place for the past fifty one years.
Sister Mary Johnice was invited to speak at Our Lady of Peace Church in
Clarence, New York, to encourage the parishioners to consider remembering the needs of the Center through a sacrificial gift during the Lenten Season. One of the parishioners felt inspired. Through the efforts of the owner of the Wargo Demolition Company, John, his team of workers, friends and relatives decided to take action. He set up “Sacred Heart Productions” to benefit the Center with a fundraiser.

Sister Johnice and Mike Gilhooly (Assistant Director) met together with a team to organize the project. The Steam Show Event was now underway and before long, the Center was given a place at the main entrance with a tent and tables. Volunteers staffed the grand prize raffle, 50-50 raffles and theme baskets.
Sisters Mary Catherine, Rose, Johnice and Volunteers greeted thousands of visitors. They shared Felician smiles and kind words of welcome along with donations of fresh donuts and containers of animal crackers. Sister Johnice commented, “We have the time today to bring Jesus to all the people we meet. We enjoy sharing stories, smiles and making new friends. It’s not all about raising funds … it’s evangelizing and accompanying others … about bringing an awareness of people’s need for food, clothing and learning what takes place in our Center.”
The Veterans from Response to Love Center set up a table with literature and talked with Veterans in need of benefits and services. The day was filled with God’s love and joy, great weather and the invitation to return once again next year!

Thank you, Phillips Lytle, for your continued support throughout the years with your most generous donations of school supplies for our children. Again this year you have stepped up and provided the specific things we were lacking in our school supply stock. Crayons, color paper, pens, and backpacks were just some of the things we were short of, not anymore.

Harvest time is special at Response to Love Center! Fresh produce is grown and given to families and individuals for a healthy meal; Tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, Zucchini, and Peppers are provided. In addition, the fresh produce can be used as a teachable experience, for meal preparation and to cook healthy meals at home.

Fresh donuts are brought to the Center through the generosity of Mayer Brothers
Cider Mill, twice a week, boxes of freshly baked cinnamon donuts are served to the
clients in the dining room and extras are added to the pantry bags.

Each week, Kreher’s Farm Fresh Eggs are donated and given as an extra
nutritious food item for the food pantry bag.

We are grateful to God for His bountiful harvest and we thank God for those who share their gifts during the autumn season. God is good!

Part of our Mission is to help provide basic personal needs to those that cannot afford them. We believe that we can help the quality of our client’s lives, and their self-esteem by offering Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Deodorant, Soap, Toothpaste etc. However, due to the number of people in need, we are making an appeal for these items so we have enough to go around. We usually have two yearly distributions of these items and as of this writing we will be short in our fall distribution and will have nothing in the spring 2018 distribution. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.